Live-longer secrets from women around the world

Japan: switch to green tea

The traditional Japanese diet, which combines fish, rice, soya and vegetables, almost certainly contributes to the low rates of heart disease and certain cancers in Japan and other parts of Asia. Soya may help protect against heart disease, improve bone health and guard against menopausal hot flushes. It's also been shown to lower the risk of lung and some other cancers. The Japanese love broccoli and cauliflower, which are rich in cancer-fighting substances, and green tea, which may lower heart disease risk and boost insulin activity to protect against diabetes. Green tea may also reduce risk of bladder, colon, stomach, oesophageal and pancreatic cancer, and offer some protection against high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease.

Action point Drink green tea, eat more fish and vegetables, and include a couple of servings of soya (yogurt, milk or beans) in your daily diet.